U.S. Faces Historic Syphilis Surge, Penicillin Shortage Worsens Crisis

As syphilis cases hit a 70-year high, a critical penicillin shortage forces providers to ration treatment, disproportionately affecting pregnant patients and infants.

Syphilis rates in the U.S. have reached a 70-year high, with over 207,000 cases reported in 2022, marking an 80% increase over five years.
The shortage of a specific penicillin injection, essential for treating syphilis, has led to rationing, prioritizing pregnant patients due to the risk of congenital syphilis.
Congenital syphilis cases have surged 183% between 2018 and 2022, with 231 resulting in stillbirth and 51 in infant death.
Racial and ethnic disparities in syphilis rates persist, with American Indian or Alaska Native people and Black or African American people most affected.
Efforts to mitigate the crisis include a $38 million investment by Pfizer in penicillin production and the establishment of a federal task force to reduce infection rates.